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Apple releases emergency security update for serious vulnerability

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Apple releases emergency security update for serious vulnerability

If you own an iPhone or iPad, it’s time to stop what you’re doing and update your device. 

A newly discovered security flaw, CVE-2025-24201, could leave your personal information vulnerable to hackers. 

The good news? Apple has released iOS 18.3.2 and iPadOS 18.3.2 to fix the issue. Let me explain what all this means for you and how you can stay protected.

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IOS 18.3.2 software update on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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What is CVE-2025-24201?

This vulnerability resides in WebKit, the open-source browser engine that powers Safari, Mail, App Store and other apps on Apple devices. The flaw is an out-of-bounds write issue, which allows attackers to use maliciously crafted web content to bypass the Web Content sandbox, a key security layer that isolates web content from accessing sensitive system resources. Apple has acknowledged that this vulnerability may have been exploited in highly advanced attacks targeting specific individuals using older versions of iOS before 17.2. These attacks are believed to involve well-funded threat actors, such as state-sponsored hackers or advanced cybercriminal groups.

Why does this matter?

Zero-day vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-24201 are particularly dangerous because they are exploited before developers can patch them. In this case, the attacks were highly targeted, meaning most users are unlikely to have been affected directly. However, these incidents underscore the importance of regularly updating your devices to stay protected against evolving threats.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR IPHONE & IPAD FROM MALWARE

Who is affected?

The vulnerability impacts a wide range of Apple devices, including:

  • iPhone XS and later
  • iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and late-r, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 7th generation and later and iPad mini 5th generation and later.

If you own any of these devices, it’s crucial to update your software immediately.

What is Apple doing about it?

Apple released emergency patches on March 11, 2025, as part of iOS 18.3.2 and iPadOS 18.3.2 updates. These updates introduce improved checks to prevent unauthorized actions caused by the vulnerability. This patch is a supplementary fix for an earlier attack mitigated in iOS 17.2.

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update notice on phone

Software update notice (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

YOUR IPHONE HAS A HIDDEN FOLDER EATING UP STORAGE SPACE WITHOUT YOU EVEN KNOWING

How to update your software on iPhone

  • Go to Settings
  • Tap General 
  • Click Software Update
  • Download and install the latest update
  • Your iPhone will restart once the update is complete
emergency update steps

Steps to update software on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to update your software on iPad

  • Go to the Settings app on your iPad
  • Tap General
  • Then click Software Update
  • Tap Download and Install to begin the update process
  • Enter your passcode if prompted and agree to the terms and conditions
  • The update will download and install
  • Your iPad will restart once the update is complete

Additional security measures to protect your iPhone and iPad

1. Enable two-factor authentication: Turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID to add an extra layer of security to your account.

2. Have strong antivirus software: The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices. 

3. Use a strong passcode: Set up a strong alphanumeric passcode instead of a simple four-digit PIN. Avoid using easily guessable information like birth dates.

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4. Enable face ID or touch ID: Utilize biometric authentication to prevent unauthorized access to your device.

5. Manage app permissions: Regularly review and adjust app permissions to ensure they only access necessary data.

6. Secure lock screen notifications: Disable or limit sensitive information displayed in lock screen notifications.

7. Use Apple’s App Privacy Report: Apple’s App Privacy Report is a powerful tool that allows iPhone users to monitor how apps access their data and interact with third-party services. This feature provides valuable insights into app behavior, helping you make informed decisions about your privacy.

8. Download apps from official sources: Only install apps from the Apple App Store to avoid potential malware.

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9. Keep your Apple ID secure: Never share your Apple ID or password with others, even family members.

10. Enable Find My iPhone: Ensure Find My iPhone is activated to help locate your device if it’s lost or stolen.

11. Invest in a password manager: To go beyond iCloud’s keychain for increased security, you’ll want to invest in a password manager. These are created specifically for the protection of passwords and include features for important documents and photos. This is also beneficial when sharing private data with family members. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here.

Kurt’s key takeaways

While it might be tempting to put off updates, you don’t want to delay this one. CVE-2025-24201 is a serious threat that’s already been used in the wild. Sure, you might not be a high-profile target, but why take chances with your personal data? Updating your device is like giving it a digital suit of armor, and it only takes a few minutes. So, hit that update button and give yourself some peace of mind.

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Do you think Apple is doing enough to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats, or are there additional steps the company should take to protect its users? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

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A pirated iOS port of Blue Prince is climbing the App Store charts

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A pirated iOS port of Blue Prince is climbing the App Store charts

Apple’s App Store review has yet again let at least one unofficial mobile port of a hot new game show up on the store – this time, it’s Blue Prince.

In a joint post on Monday, Blue Prince’s developer, Dogubomb, and its publisher, Raw Fury, said that they have “received reports of games claiming to be Blue Prince on iOS.” Currently, the game is only available on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation.

I easily found one iOS copy of the game just by searching Blue Prince on the App Store – it was the first search result. The icon looks like it would be the icon for a hypothetical mobile version of the game, the listing has screenshots that look like they’re indeed from Blue Prince, and the description for the game matches the description on Steam.

But on the iOS clone’s listing, the game’s seller is listed as “Samet Altinay,” and I can’t find any connection between this person and Blue Prince outside of this App Store listing. The copyright is also attributed to “DogBomb,” instead of Dogubomb.

I purchased this unofficial version of Blue Prince, which costs $9.99, and installed it on my iPhone 16 Pro to test it out. In a few minutes of playing, it appears to be a barely-modified version of the actual Blue Prince game, though with a few tweaks to make it better-suited for mobile, like a virtual joystick. I’ve also already run into a major bug: when I tried to walk through one of the doors from the Entrance Hall, I fell through the floor.

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Apple didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment. According to the listing, this unofficial mobile port is the #8 paid app in the Entertainment category on iOS. But so far, it only has one three-star review, with the writer saying they also hit a bug that caused them to fall through the floor.

Dogubomb and Raw Fury have not officially announced an iOS port of Blue Prince. “We have no news about other platforms at this time, but if that changes we will make an official announcement,” they said in the post. “While we investigate we would kindly ask that you do not purchase or download these apps.”

Apple has previously allowed copycats of games like Wordle and Palworld to appear on the App Store.

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FBI warns of time-traveling hackers

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FBI warns of time-traveling hackers

Cybercriminals always find new ways to scam you, whether it’s mimicking a government agency, creating a fake website or delivering malware disguised as a software update. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, they come up with a new trick.

This time, the FBI has issued an alert: Hackers are using a “time-traveling” technique to bypass your device’s security measures. No, we’re not talking about actual time travel (though wouldn’t that be something?). This is a sophisticated cyberattack where hackers manipulate a system’s internal clock to sneak past security defenses.

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A man working on his laptops (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What you need to know

The concept of “time-traveling hackers” refers not to literal time travel but to a sophisticated cyberattack technique where hackers manipulate a system’s internal clock to bypass security measures. This attack is reportedly tied to the Medusa ransomware gang.

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In this type of attack, hackers exploit expired security certificates by altering the system date on a targeted device to a time when those certificates were still valid. For example, a security certificate that expired in, say, 2020 could be made usable again if the system’s clock is set back to 2019. This allows malicious software signed with these outdated certificates to be recognized as legitimate by the system, effectively “traveling back in time” from a security perspective. 

This technique was notably used in the Medusa ransomware attacks, which targeted critical infrastructure and prompted an FBI cybersecurity advisory (AA25-071A) earlier in 2025. The campaign has affected over 300 critical infrastructure targets. The attackers combined this method with social engineering and exploited unpatched vulnerabilities, amplifying the threat. 

The FBI has warned that such attacks pose a significant risk, as they can disable modern security protections like Windows Defender by tricking the system into accepting outdated drivers or software.

FBI warns of time-traveling hackers

A woman working on her laptop and scrolling on her phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

DOUBLECLICKJACKING HACK TURNS DOUBLE-CLICKS INTO ACCOUNT TAKEOVERS

What does the FBI recommend?

Traditional search and rescue tools, like rigid robots and specialized cameras, often struggle in disaster zones. Cameras follow only straight paths, forcing teams to cut through debris just to see further in. Rigid robots are vulnerable in tight, unstable spaces and expensive to repair when damaged. And manual probing is slow, exhausting and risks responder safety.

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FBI warns of time-traveling hackers

A man working on his laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

RELENTLESS HACKERS ABANDON WINDOWS TO TARGET YOUR APPLE ID

5 ways to stay safe from Medusa malware

1) Use strong antivirus software: A strong antivirus isn’t just for catching old-school viruses anymore. It can detect phishing links, block malicious downloads and stop ransomware before it gets a foothold. Since the Medusa gang uses fake updates and social engineering to trick users, having strong antivirus software adds a critical layer of protection against threats you might not see coming. Get my picks of the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

2) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): The FBI specifically recommends enabling 2FA across all services, especially for high-value targets like webmail accounts, VPNs and remote access tools. 2FA makes it significantly harder for attackers to break in, even if they’ve managed to steal your username and password through phishing or other tactics.

3) Use strong, unique passwords: Many ransomware groups, including Medusa, rely on reused or weak passwords to gain access. Using a strong password (think long, random and unique to each account) greatly reduces that risk. A password manager can help you generate and store complex passwords so you don’t have to remember them all yourself. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here.

4) Monitor for suspicious system time changes: The core of this “time-traveling” attack is clock manipulation: Hackers roll back a device’s clock to a time when expired security certificates were still valid. This allows outdated and potentially malicious software to appear trustworthy. Be alert to unexpected system time changes, and if you’re managing an organization, use tools that flag and log these types of configuration shifts.

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5) Keep systems updated and patch known vulnerabilities: The Medusa ransomware campaign has a track record of exploiting unpatched systems. That means old software, outdated drivers and ignored security updates can all become entry points. Regularly installing updates for your OS, applications and drivers is one of the most effective ways to stay protected. Don’t put off those system notifications; they exist for a reason.

CLICKFIX MALWARE TRICKS YOU INTO INFECTING YOUR OWN WINDOWS PC

Kurt’s key takeaway

The Medusa attack is a good example of how cybercriminals are shifting tactics. Instead of relying on traditional methods like brute force or obvious exploits, they are targeting the basic logic that systems depend on to function. In this case, it is something as simple as the system clock. This kind of strategy challenges the way we think about security. It is not just about building stronger defenses but also about questioning the default assumptions built into the technology we use every day.

How do you think technology companies can better support individual users in protecting their data and devices? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Nike is facing a lawsuit from people who bought its NFTs

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Nike is facing a lawsuit from people who bought its NFTs

A group of people sued Nike this week over its decision to wind down its virtual show project RTFKT last year. The buyers of the digital assets accuse Nike of causing “the rug to be pulled out from under them,” and say they wouldn’t have bought its NFTs if they’d known they were “unregistered securities,” reports Reuters.

Filed in New York’s Eastern District, the proposed class action lawsuit seeks “unspecified damages of more than $5 million for alleged violations of New York, California, Florida and Oregon consumer protection laws.”

Nike tried to jump into the NFT game by buying RTFKT in 2021. But, like Starbucks Odyssey, it never quite worked out and the company abandoned the idea, announcing in December via the RTFKT X account that it planned to “wind down RTFKT operations” by the end of January this year.

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